Eden Tighe
she/her
Sharpsville, PA, US
Eden Tighe is a metalsmith and textile artist with a B.F.A. in Studio Arts, concentrated in Jewelry and Metals, from PennWest Edinboro University. Her main focus is making sculptural body adornment and jewelry that communicate relational interactions. Her interests in wildlife, color, and texture act as common themes to symbolize her studies exploring personal experiences.
“With performative body adornment and objects, I create powerful experiences to invoke more understanding in our world. As an interdisciplinary artist, I assemble various materials to craft a concrete entity. These storytelling objects consist of both metal and textile sculptures and jewelry, which are conceived from personal experiences and narratives. Furthermore, their values of color, proportion and placement on the body help to illustrate these experiences. Each process transports me to a mindfulness place, to analyze the relational interactions in these experiences. Overall, my work is an act of perseverance, using the process as a means of conquering struggles: the hardships of navigating life as a trans woman. It also provides a whimsical lens to my past that cannot be felt with spoken words but as a visual experience. Overall, I reach out to others to help feel validated and seen.”
How does your work relate to the theme of flourish(ing)?
“With the chaos of the world and daily life, I created a ring to put one at ease. ‘Harmony’ is about presence and mindfulness during process – alloying, forging, matching and assembling. Presence solidifies power. The touch of cinnamon adds a soft smell, providing balance and comfort. A secure piece of cinnamon to bring security to you. ‘Harmony’ represents soothing one and to sit in the present.”
"Harmony", Shibuichi, sterling silver, cinnamon, 2” x .5” x 2.5”, 2025
How does your creative practice allow you to flourish (grow, thrive, blossom)?
“My practice is driven by curiosity and the desire for knowledge. Knowledge is power to understanding the deep-rooted, universal methods of craft and ultimately everyday life. Foundational knowledge plants seeds for creativity. I use my practice as a place to persevere through life's hardships. Every piece functions as a journal, displayed through whimsy to help regenerate and move forward. Finding Peace.”
Photographs Courtesy of the Artist
As a queer+ artist, what would you like to see and/or what do you need in order to flourish during this time?
“Everyone holds the responsibility of caring for the communities and environment around them: When you don't tend to your garden, it does not grow. While the current climate is agonizing, it is important to stay connected and nurture your garden. Our greatest superpower is nurturing and remaining present in our soil. During this time, I would like to see every individual nurture their entire garden because it involves caring for every corner. When caring for every corner, you care for those who may need it most or are less fortunate than others. Supporting each other allows us to find love within ourselves, which becomes the act of flourishing.”